Blender buying guide

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Getting started

In the market for a new blender? You're not alone. Sales of this small appliance have been humming in recent years--thanks in part to the popularity of so-called personal blenders. These alternative to full-size blenders target on-the-go smoothie enthusiasts, featuring smaller containers that can double as a travel mug. Whether it's full-size or personal, a blender is one appliance that you're more likely to leave on the countertop--so upscale looks, increased power, and sturdier construction are also helping to drive blender sales. Many colors and finishes, including stainless steel, are now available, but appearance isn't everything.

Other options include handheld immersion blenders (good mostly for stirring powdered drinks or puréeing vegetables in a saucepan) and all-in-one machines (which claim to replace food processors and, in some cases, add cooking capabilities). But you might sacrifice performance or have to pay more if you follow either route.

Consider the types of food and drink you prepare, and use our Ratings to find the blenders that perform best in those areas. For example, if you're mostly mixing drinks, look for a machine with enough oomph to crush ice.

Spending more for any of these appliances will typically get you touchpad controls, extra power, and designer styling or colors to match your kitchen's décor. Most have glass or plastic pitchers.

Big, visible measurement marks and easily decipherable controls add to ease of use. Our noise Ratings can spare you the trouble of listening to a grating, high-pitched whine--some models are loud enough to require hearing protection.

Types

You needn't spend a bundle to get a decent blender. Many of the models we tested, even the less-expensive ones, were competent at various tasks. Different types of blenders have different strengths, so choose one that suits your needs. The bottom line: Price, styling, and the word "professional" don't guarantee excellent performance or durability.

Countertop blenders

Along with mixing, puréeing and chopping, crushing ice for drinks is a key attribute shoppers look for in a countertop blender, manufacturers say.

Containers are made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel, and have a capacity of about 4 to 8 cups. A glass container is heavier and more stable. Glass is also easier to keep clean. Plastic might scratch and can absorb the smell of whatever is inside. Stainless steel might be attractive, but it keeps you from seeing how the blending is going.

Three to 16 speeds are the norm, but more isn't necessarily better. Controls vary from programmable touchpads to push buttons, dials and flip switches.

Handheld/immersion blenders

Handheld, or immersion, blenders are long, thin appliances that you hold in your hand and submerge in the food or drink you're preparing. The shaft has a long neck with blades at the end, so you can mix and chop food in the cooking container--say, purée soup vegetables right in the pot they simmer in.

Immersion blenders are also handy for mixing smoothies, milkshakes, and powdered drinks (although you do have to hold down a switch to keep the blades running, which can be tedious).

Handheld blenders are great for small tasks, typically include an assortment of blades and attachments and can fit in a drawer. But they tend to complement a countertop blender rather than replace one.

Features

With blenders, power, performance, and price don't always go hand-in-hand. In our tests, some modestly powered, inexpensive blenders turned out smooth-as-silk mixtures, while some bigger and fancier blenders left food pulpy or lumpy. Here are the blender features to consider.

Wattage

Blenders generally range from 300 to 1,000 watts. Manufacturers claim that higher wattage translates into better performance, but in our tests, lower-wattage models have outperformed some more powerful ones. Power has made more of a difference with immersion blenders than with countertop models.

Controls

Touchpad controls are easiest to clean, and some touchpad units have programmable controls to eliminate guesswork. But you have to press the button twice: once for on, once for off. Push buttons easily change from one speed to another with a single touch but are more difficult to clean. A dial control is easier to clean than push buttons, but you must dial through all the settings to reach your desired speed. A flip switch is simple but limits your options to one or two speeds and possibly a pulse setting.

Number of speeds

Three to 16 speeds are the norm, but more are not necessarily better. Three well-differentiated speeds are adequate; a dozen or more that are hard to distinguish from one another may be too many.

Wide-mouth container

This makes loading food and washing easier.

Big markings

Look for easy-to-read notches and numbers on the container to help you measure more accurately.

Pulse setting

This helps you to fine-tune blending time. There's no lag time between when you push the button and when the blender starts or stops.

Attached blade

It might seem that an attached blade makes a container sturdier, but in fact, it makes it harder to clean.

Brands

Hamilton Beach, Oster, and Waring account for a large portion of countertop-blender units. Other brands include Black & Decker, Breville, Blendtec, Cuisinart, Kalorik, KitchenAid, Ninja, Omega, Proctor-Silex, and Vita-Mix. Many of the same brands also make handheld blenders. Use these profiles to compare blenders by brand.

Black & Decker

Another major brand that offers a wide range of low-to-mid-prices; most products are of the push-button type. Black & Decker is available through online retailers, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and other retailers. Prices range from $30 to $80.

Blendtec

Like Vita-Mix, this brand also offers a high-priced multifunction machine that acts as a blender and also produces dough, soups, and ice cream. It is sold online on Amazon.com and by specialty retailers. Price is $400.

Breville

Breville is an Australian high-end brand offering upscale small appliances.

Cuisinart

This mid-range-to-premium brand offers dual-purpose models that come with interchangeable parts, making the machine double as blender and food processor. Individual models include push-button and touch-pad controls and LED displays. Cuisinart is widely available in department, specialty, and appliance stores, and through online retailers. Prices range from $50 to $150.

Hamilton Beach

The other market-leading brand has long been known for its Wave Action System technology. Its upscale Eclectric line is available in six colors. In 2008, the company introduced the Dual Action Blender with two sets of blades featuring a double jar or two single jars. This offers the flexibility of blending or mixing different items at the same time. These products are widely available through department stores, appliances stores, and big-box retailers. Prices range from $20 to $100.

KitchenAid

One of the category's premium brands, whose products include die-cast metal bases. Most models are available in various colors. Products are sold through department stores, specialty stores, appliance stores, online retailers, and big-box retailers. Prices range from $60 to $270.

L'Equip

L'Equip started several years ago as a high-tech blender company and was recently acquired by Bosch.

Ninja

Ninja is a popular, relatively new brand from Euro-Pro. It features multifunctional products at affordable prices.

Oster

The market-share leader offers a basic line and the upscale Fusion, Counterforms, and Classic Beehive lines. The flagship Fusion line includes touch-pad controls and preprogrammed settings. Oster's products are sold through department stores, online retailers, Walmart, Target, appliance retailers, and many more outlets. Prices range from $20 to $100.

Vitamix

Vita-Mix touts its high-priced machine as a multifunction product that includes some functions of a food processor. The machines are sold online and by specialty retailers. Price is $400.

Waring

Offers include high-mid-range to premium-category products. Most of Waring's blenders incorporate die-cast-metal bases, two-speed operation, and the Waring toggle switch; its trademark metal jar is also available as an option. Products are available at department stores and specialty stores. Prices range from $60 to $400.